NORTHAMPTON — A lot has changed in one year at Smith Vocational.
Due to an influx of first-year players in late August last season, the program had to devote practice time to teaching how to put on pads and how to stand for the national anthem.
This year, the team is already installing plays on offense and blitz packages on defense.
The 2018 Vikings were young, and so is this year’s team. But with a full season of varsity experience under their belt, the program’s sophomores and juniors are ready to build on last year’s success.
“I think they are more excited and confident than where they were last year,” said first-year coach Keith Lebeau. “To see the success we had gave them the confidence to know that we can do this. They know that we are building the program … I think the younger kids played and got a lot of experience last year. There is a lot of confidence right now.”
Although a lot of last year’s players were, and still are, young, the group is motivated to not only be good players, but good role models.
“Even though a lot of those kids are only sophomores and juniors, they are taking the freshman kids and helping them along,” Lebeau said. “You need the weakest link to be good, and they understand that.”
Lebeau is the program’s sixth head coach in seven years. So much turnover at the helm can be disorienting, but his assistant coaches, his son, Zach, and linemen coach, Alex Subocz, were on the coaching staff with him as the defensive coordinator last season. Keeping familiar faces on the staff should help the team transition.
Expectations for the team is the highest they have ever been. Lebeau wants to win more games than the program did last season, but his main indicator of success is effort.
“I want them at the end of the year to say that they put their best foot forward, whatever the record is, and that they always tried their best; that’s it,” said Lebeau. “If we can do that, I’m happy. I think that we could be 6-5. I think that is a realistic goal, and I want us to be competitive in all of our games. When things go sideways I don’t want us to just fold.”
Sophomore Caden Guimond is poised to be the starting quarterback for the Vikings this fall. The team lost former signal-caller Nick Marcinowski to graduation after last season.
“Nick didn’t make any mistakes. He always did the right thing and took care of the football,” said Lebeau. “I’m hoping Caden can do the same thing for us.”
The team’s run game last season was mainly powered by then-senior Ethan Rivera at speed back. Junior Eric Leet is set to be a big contributor out of the backfield in the Vikings’ double-wing offense.
“He had a sensational year running the ball last year,” said Lebeau. “He’s probably lost 20 pounds. He’s an athletic kid.”
Sophomore Jonathon Lavalley will be asked to do a lot of lead blocking out of the backfield, but he can also carry the ball. Junior Chevron Wall is in the mix for the speed back position.
Freshman Drew Derino and junior Owen Whidden are expected to help lead an offensive line that lost three starters to graduation. Junior Jalen Cappello could see time at the left tackle position. The remaining spots on the offensive line will be filled by the end of preseason. Cappello will be the team’s starting nose guard. Lavalley will go between defensive end and linebacker.
Leet will resume his role at linebacker this fall. Newcomer T.J. Young could also see time at linebacker. Guimond will play free safety.
Wall and Chandler Correia will see time at the corner back spots.
“We have a lot of two-way guys,” said Lebeau.
Smith Vocational
CO-OP: Smith Academy
COACH: Keith Lebeau, first season
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County/8
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-5
LAST TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE: N/A
PLAYERS: Seniors – Sam McNerney, WR/DB; Juniors – Chevron Wall, RB/DB; Eric Leet, RB/LB; Hunter Coy; Owen Whidden, OL/DL; Davien Santos; Eric Hernandez, OL/DL; Zak Martinez, OL/DL; Jalen Cappello, OL/DL; Lilli Streciwic, OL/DL; Sophomores – Cayden Guimond, QB/DB; Jonathon Lavalley; Chandler Correia, RB/DB; Jamison Bang, DB; Luke Raimondi, DB; Peter Soto, OL/DL; T.J. Young, RB/LB, Aaron Pierce, WR; Aiden Pederson, TE/LB; Tylor Prats, RB/DB; Hunter Menard, OL/DL; Adrian Loud; Freshmen – Roscoe Weeks, WR/DB; Taylor Beckwith; Joey Lamanna, OL/DL; Matthew Perizo; Aiden Latham; David Collazo; Jarrod Rousseau; Hunter Lathum; Gabriel Woodman, QB; Drew Derino, OL/DL; Morgan Whidden
OUTLOOK: Lebeau is the Vikings’ sixth head coach in the last seven years. He was the team’s defensive coordinator last season. The team is coming off a program-best 5-5 record in 2018. A lot of young players were thrown into the fire last season and responded well. Look for those players to take another step moving into this fall.